Actor Rob Lowe has suggested continuing the scripts for James Austin Johnson's impression of former President Donald Trump Saturday Night Live have lost their comedic magic because they are too close to reality.

Johnson – who joined SNL as a lead in 2021 and was promoted to repertory player in 2023 – portraying the Republican presidential candidate as the long-running sketch show parodies the election cycle.

While Johnson's take on Trump has gotten laughs from fans, Lowe recently shared his theory that the comedian's script wasn't as funny as his previous Trump impersonations because they were too realistic.

In conversation with SNL alum Jay Pharoah on his podcast Literally! With Rob LoweThe actor said of Johnson: “I discovered him just walking around with a mask on during COVID. He just walked around (impersonating) Trump, and that’s how he got the job.”

“It wasn't just the impression, it was what you actually said… I have (Johnson) on my phone talking about Scooby Doo… And, and I have him too, I have a version where he's about 'Weird Al' speaks.” Yankovic.

“But then carry on SNLI don't think he's quite as funny because I don't think they let him do what's great, which is the non-sequitur, the insane (material). Trump talking crazy, crazy shit is funnier to me than Trump talking what you think Trump would talk about.

Newsweek has contacted representatives of SNL and Johnson via email for comment.

Pharoah, whose own impersonations have included former President Barack Obama and actor Denzel Washington, said he understood Lowe's point about the material Johnson performed, which the “Parks and Recreation” star said he “loves.”

While Pharoah said he didn't know why there had been “less of Johnson's” interpretation of the character, he added: “I understand that sometimes when I'm thrown off with these impressions, I can improvise, especially me .” something that is probably better than what someone wrote.

Lowe said this as SNL Alum Dana Carvey previously portrayed former President George HW Bush on the show. What attracted him to the performance was that the comedian “finely distilled it down to gibberish.”

Still, Lowe praised SNL overall, as he recounted his own appearance on the show before the 2000 presidential election.

“I love impressions, and I love SNL” he said. “I was lucky enough to host one of their debate sketches. It was the choice. Just (to show) how long ago it was, it was the (Al) Gore and Bush election cycle.”

Lowe said at the time: SNL Alum Darrell Hammond portrayed Gore, a performance he praised for veering into the outlandish.

SNLwhich was created by Lorne Michaels and premiered in October 1975, is famous for its skits that often parody headline-grabbing events and public figures. The NBC show has built its brand on skewering political figures, much to the ire of frequent critic Trump.

Carvey returned late last month for the opening of the show's 50th season, reprising his role as President Joe Biden. Maya Rudolph portrayed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris with Andy Samberg as her husband Doug Emhoff. Jim Gaffigan joined as Harris' running mate Tim Walz, while Bowen Yang ran against Trump's running mate JD Vance.